Etymology Map
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Inaugurate

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to begin formally; to install in office

Where does the word "inaugurate" come from? It comes from Latin inaugurare, passing through Latin before entering English (1600s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
inaugurare
Latin · ancient
"to take omens"
'in-' plus 'augurare', to act as an augur
2
Stage 2 of 3
inauguratus
Latin · ancient
"installed after augury"
past participle; officials were installed once the bird omens were read
3
Stage 3 of 3
inaugurate
English · 1600s
"to consecrate by omen"
US presidential inaugurations date from 1789
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Read the full story

Inaugurate’s story begins in Latin: inaugurare meant “to take omens.” 'in-' plus 'augurare', to act as an augur. Within Latin, it grew into inauguratus by ancient. Past participle; officials were installed once the bird omens were read. It reached English by 1600s as inaugurate. US presidential inaugurations date from 1789. Today, inaugurate means to begin formally; to install in office.